The stadium was filled with unrelenting energy from the rowdy, hollering crowd spectating from the
stands. Shrieks of laughter and protest mixed in with the war cries from contenders down in their
respective battle rings highlighted the excitement sparking in the air.
Countless disciples had fallen down to their knees in the face of a stronger foe since yesterday; a
natural order to the way of the martial arts. It was by no means a shock, as many had observed the
winners puffing their chests with a pride that only beings at the ninth grade of Skin Refinement could
possess. Most of them had been on a roll; winning their bouts continuously up until the tenth streak.
After all, it must have been an easy brawl since the masters were not fated to meet early in the game,
as per Zenith's veiled rule of the tournament.
The superiors had arranged the combats to be battles of the fittest. Ineligible competitors were
successfully weeded out on the first day, amassing to a jarring number of one hundred victors to
compete next until fifty stood on top of the rankings.
Regulations stayed consistent all throughout the event. Candidates were expected to fight ten rounds
with the goal of accumulating marks in every round, and the one who scored highest would be granted
the name of the champion.
All in all, the challengers that now stood confidently in the middle of the massive arena were the
products of the bloody system; the esteemed predators of the whole sect.
They were an elite group composed of varying individuals at the eighth or ninth grade of Skin
Refinement, emitting loud, intimidating auras that muted the deafening noise coming from almost-sore
throats of adrenaline-pumped onlookers. The heated atmosphere further pronounced the mass hysteria
sweeping over the place. Judging by the overwhelming response of the public, today's match would
certainly be a legendary sight to behold;
an awaited massacre of rivals until only fifty, rightful kings remained.
Time passed, and soon, nine rounds of battles were to meet its end.
The top ten outer disciples breezed through their scuffles, nonchalantly acquiring triumph after triumph,
having not encountered any powerful nemesis to wreck their balance. If it were not for the unfortunate
exception of Jim and Dustin's death by hand of Ricky, their title as the ten would have not been
reduced to eight.
On the other hand, a flurry of powerful attacks unleashed by Ricky pranced in time with the cheers of
masses. He acted unbothered as he effectively blew his opponents away from him like annoying pests
foolishly clinging to his skin. His display of unmitigated prowess led to his predictable success. Much
like the venerated disciples, he too, had won his share of skirmishes. He poised with a calmness and
elegance only confidence could bring, and the entirety of Snow Sect knew that it was not baseless.
They had put enough faith in his proficiency to believe that he could single-handedly defeat any outer
disciple that dares to challenge him. Only a few would choose to be blinded by sheer bias and
judgment to see his clear potential, and some thirsted for him to be leading a bigger picture for the
nearing future.
Zenith and the Elders fell on the latter category; they had high hopes for Ricky for the explicit reason of
their greed needing someone like him in every sect.
Ultimately, geniuses of his level were notably hard to come by. A few had cut it close, much like the
emergence of a sudden dark horse by the name of Edgar Li.
He was exceedingly good and a talent that would perhaps be viewed as a rarity by most. But, ones with
keen eyes would have known right away that Edgar Li was just an average, ordinary outer disciple
before.
Not to demean his undeniable growth; he had surely demonstrated an outstanding performance with
the use of his ninth grade of Skin Refinement.
The techniques he had discharged with precision had the results of a student skillfully taught by
masters, but that was exactly why he was at a level anyone could easily achieve if given the proper
training. The experts he could depend on gave him the privilege to develop faster than most, thus
explaining his fast boost in progress.
Contrary to him, Ricky was a man with bottomless aptitude. He was an unpredictable calamity, in which
he devoured every knowledge he came across and made it his own to claim. He was an idol that
entrances thousands into a daze, robotically following his close to indistinguishable lightning
movements with bewildered looks fused with awe shining especially in the young ones' gazes.
Zenith was one of the innumerable enthusiasts he had won over. His curiosity and anticipation for the
boy's advancement in his field led him into wanting to push him to exceed his own limits. And so, it was
with a guilty conscience when he heard the horde burst into confusion and surprise upon the
announcement of the final battles, knowing that he was to take the full blame.
No one had thought that Ricky would face the fourth ranker among the top ten outer disciples; the
famous Jarvis.
Arguments among the watchers ignited instantaneously, debates of which adversary would come out
dominant incited fights among the passionate warriors
while others were satisfied with the promise of a spectacular showdown and merely uttered their
praises hidden under the shy of their breaths.
Speculations about the sect chief fluttered through, reaching Zenith's perked ears as he was accused
of boredom with the previous one-sided competitions.
'Perhaps, ' the tilt of their lips hinting at a faint smile appeared on their face at the thought.
"Who do you think will win?"
"It's hard to say that…"
Never-ending questions were raised the higher the anticipation became as they waited. It buzzed and
singed the surroundings with static; becoming so palpable that it was increasingly suffocating a few
with the unrestrained tension.
Even the higher-ups did not have any inkling as to what Zenith was thinking.
'Chief Zenith, why did you pair them?' Elder Evan asked him using his mind, knowing that the other
elders were equally as perplexed.
It truly was a useful thing, to be able to communicate through thoughts by reaching the highest stage of
Skin Refinement.
'I want to know his potential, '
Zenith only smiled, his focus shifting to rest on Ricky.
'What?' Bemused, the three Elders all turned to the subject of interest after hearing the staggering reply
while Elder Albott only chuckled in amusement, apparently getting what Zenith had meant. Truthfully,
Ricky's excellent performance would irrefutably qualify him to be of same standing with the top ten
outer disciples, but they did not think so far ahead that it would attract the attention of the most
powerful figure in their sect.
'It seems that Ricky's cultivation method draws the attention of the sect chief, '
Elder Albott mused.
Sensing the group's confusion, Zenith took the time to give them an explanation, 'You need patience. If
Jarvis can stimulate Ricky's hidden potential, you'll be interested in him too.'
With that closing statement, they fell into quiet contemplation as they assessed the duel about to unfold
before them.
The greying sky rumbled in the far distance, a storm brewing as the wind grew harsher and harsher by
the second. Dust and rubble whisked past the two antagonists, loose hair whipping around their stern
faces in a frenzied dance that occasionally concealed their threatening glares.
Maybe it was destiny that led Ricky to face his enemy--one of the many, in fact. Even so, he did not
predict that would be facing Jarvis in their last course in the contest.
And, it appeared that they shared the same sentiments.
"You're unlucky enough to fight against me today!"
Arms folded across his chest in a display of arrogance, Jarvis smirked cockily.
"I admit, it gave me a bit of a startle to see you here," sighed Ricky. "Although honestly, it doesn't
matter. Whoever it might be, I'll still be the last one standing."
He regarded his foe calmly, but it did not mask his look of pure disdain that clouded his menacing eyes.
He was treating him like an insect.
Jarvis was struck with an unquenchable fury upon seeing his demeanor. His whole body shook with
rage as he bared his teeth in a domineering manner, seething, "You bastard! I will not kill you today
because the sect rules forbid me to do so, but I'll at least make sure you come back as a disgrace!
That'll teach you a lesson on what happens after you go against the Refinement Faction!"
Ricky laughed mockingly, raising his eyebrows in disbelief and sneering at the man, "I'm really
confused, you know. I wonder if your faction is full of fools like you. You always threaten me with the
same empty words. I'm really getting tired of it." He started circling the ground, baiting his opponent into
moving in his set pace. When Jarvis had realized this, he was overcome with unabashed feelings of
hate and loathing.
He jumped, his legs pushing against the hard earth for momentum. Clouds of dirt marked where his
initial position had been. The strength his legs had mustered upon propulsion leaving deep holes in his
wake.
A roar dislodged from his throat as he advanced towards Ricky, his fist swinging to target his foe.
A whirring hum produced by the friction between the spiritual energy and air, quickly escalating to a
sonic boom. The force from the strike produced aggressive winds that had the bystanders gripping their
seats for stabilization.
In the haze, he pursued Ricky without fail. His tight muscles strained with the strenuous effort of his
motions, his clothes reforming to suit his body well to provide no hindrance to his actions. Ricky dodged
his unrelenting assaults, his agility allowing him to swiftly move out of harm's way. He was stuck in
defense while Jarvis unyieldingly ambushed him.
The Refinement Faction was indeed worthy of its reputation. Without a doubt, every member of the
party must boast the same professionally trained form that Jarvis sported.
Ricky blocked another ruthless attempt to break his cover. He gritted his teeth, growing exasperated,
"Fine, if your faction is so proud of your own cultivation method, I will defeat you using the same
method today!"
He exclaimed, rushing to meet Jarvis head-on. For a brief moment, Jarvis had been caught off guard.
Still, he did not waver and instead let a manic grin mar his face as he welcomed Ricky's counter.
Mirroring his cruel smile, Ricky's fist collided with the other
with a more powerful pressure compared to their first contact in the battle. It shook the arena, causing
vibrations to travel through metal and tremors to encourage the fall of multiple debris onto the
unsuspecting audience. Small tornados sprung from where they were in reaction to the oppression of
the air. Their fight had the gravity of an incoming cyclone, outshining even the brewing hurricane from
above.
They both stood firmly, their feet were able to keep their balance with the deep trench and their legs
dug into the land. With a steady gaze and a deep intake of breath, their skirmish had migrated into the
air as they jumped high, their punches and kicks entangled in a violent exchange. Each attack had
been packed with a power that reverberated upon contiguity, producing a metallic sound akin to a bass
hitting its lowest possible note.
None of them were unscathed; with the amount of bruises and wounds Jarvis had inflicted on Ricky, he
also attained.
They were incomprehensible to amateur eyes, too nimble to be seen in normal circumstances.
However, the disciples incessantly shouted their praises and cries of thrill and elation.
It was a merciless competition, but it served as material to nostalgia to some like the four Elders and
Zenith who were reminded of their youthful days.
A resounding boom echoed throughout the enclosure once again, as Ricky and Jarvis dealt a final blow
to the other's shoulder and chest before they separated in retreat.
They landed back on solid terrain, a slight stumble ruining their otherwise seamless landings. Their
loathing boiled and seeped through the way they glowered, both swiping an angry hand at the blood
gushing out of the corner of their lips.
Commentaries were traded by the populace at the spectacle, hailing and admiring their unmatched
toughness, "Ricky's truly on par with the top ten outer disciples! This is really exciting!" Zenith beamed,
influenced by the intoxicating energy, "This is just the beginning. It's bound to get better from now
on."
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